Pool Timer

ABSTRACT

A swimming pool or spa pump control system to selectively control the operation of a recirculating pump to prevent damage to the recirculating pump that could result from specific operating conditions and to optimize energy consumption by varying the run time of the recirculating pump throughout the year as a function of the sun&#39;s energy impacting the earth&#39;s surface as a measure of solar radiation incident on the surface of the pool water or solar heat energy incident on the pool water comprising a controller including a microcontroller to calculate the pump run time for a geographically specific location dependent upon the time of year or date based upon the solar radiation or heat energy adjusted for specific swimming pool or spa site, and a plurality of sensors to monitor various operating conditions coupled to the controller to deactivate the recirculating pump when any one of the operating conditions exceeds a predetermined or set value.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This is a continuation application of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/932,474 filed Feb. 25, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A swimming pool pump or spa recirculating control system to control the operation of a recirculating pump.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various efforts have been undertaken to design a pool water pump control to protect the operation of a circulating pump as well as improve energy efficiency by controlling the pump run time. Examples of the prior art and disclosures are shown below.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,484,938 teaches an electronic pool pump timer to control the run time of a pump for a period of time each day depending on the date. In the preferred embodiment, the user enters the historical daily maximum and minimum pump run times for the specific pool to calculate the required time the pump will run on a given day. The run time is calculated as a function of the date and the minimum and maximum run times for a given pool. The system then self-adjusts the run time each day as necessary. The device comprises a data input means, a display, memory, and a controller. To prevent the pool from freezing, the system may also include an air temperature sensor that activates the pump operation when the ambient air is below a predetermined temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,950 discloses a control system for a swimming pool or a spa recirculating system that draws water from a pool or spa through a pump and filter and back to the pool. A controller is operated to initiate operation of the pump at pre-established time intervals. The length of time or duty cycle that the pump is operated at each of these time intervals is determined by a temperature sensor which senses the water temperature. The temperature sensor supplies a signal to the controller to cause the pump to be operated for a longer period of time when the water temperature is above a threshold temperature and to be operated for a shorter period of time when the water temperature is below the predetermined threshold.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,196 shows an electronic timer used for producing command signals to initiate and discontinue the operation of external devices such as pool pumps, lights, and the like. The timer includes a common bus to which there are applied a plurality of parallel pulse signals that in combination define a timing interval divided into a sequence of time slots. A plurality of independently operable decoders are connected to the common bus so that all the decoders continuously monitor the parallel pulse signals. Preferably, the plurality of parallel pulse signals are generated in a control center module and applied to the common bus which propagates the signal to one or more other modules each of which contains at least a pair of the independently operable decoders. Each such decoder includes gating circuitry operable to produce a command signal and further includes a manually adjustable input for completing a plurality of signal flow paths from the common bus to the gating circuitry to cause the gating circuitry to produce the output command signal during a selected one of the time slots.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,543 teaches a pump shut off system for shutting off a pump when there is insufficient fluid to pump. A processor is electrically connected to a timer to deactivate the pump after a predetermined period of time. The processor also includes a flow sensor to deactivate the timer to prevent the timer from measuring the predetermined amount of time when the flow switch is activated by the flow sensor when the flow sensor detects fluid flow through the outlet conduit above the predetermined amount during the predetermined amount of time.

US 2004/0000525 relates to a system and method for reducing the energy consumption of a swimming pool cleaning system operating for a first predetermined time period. A programmable controller activates an actuator which causes a diverter valve or in-line valve to isolate and selectively operate a suction vacuum for a second predetermined time period. Isolating and selectively operating the suction vacuum from the skimmer allows the centrifugal pump to be driven by a motor in low speed mode to be used all of the time for skimming and cleaning operations; thereby greatly reducing energy consumption.

US 2009/0151801 teaches a method of operating a controller for a pool pump motor comprising the steps of setting an operating mode for the pool pump motor, setting a torque value for the pool pump motor corresponding to the operating mode, setting a high operating threshold and a low operating threshold corresponding to the torque value, operating the pool pump motor in a constant torque mode using the torque value, monitoring an operating parameter of the pool pump motor corresponding to a load on the pool pump motor, discontinuing operating the pool pump motor when the operating parameter is higher than the high operating threshold or lower than the low operating threshold and signaling a pool pump motor fault upon the discontinuing operating the pool pump motor.

US 2009/0211986 relates to a system for load control in an electrical power system including one or more temperature-monitoring devices to control operation of a pool pump. When ambient temperatures are relatively high and electrical power demands from air conditioning systems are relatively high, the temperature-monitoring devices can remove power from the controlled device during the hotter portions of the day and provide power to the controlled devices during the cooler portions of the day. During heat waves or other periods of relatively continuous high heat, the temperature-monitoring devices can schedule power to the controlled devices to reduce overall power demands and to run the controlled devices during the cooler portions of the day when air conditioning electrical loads are reduced. The temperature-monitoring devices can also coordinate operation of the pool pump and a pool heater.

US 2009/0290990 discloses a pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system comprising pump having an inlet coupled to the drain and an outlet coupled to the return. The pump receives fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The apparatus includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The apparatus also comprises a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch including a model observer configured to receive a first value based on the signal and to generate a second value representative of at least one of a modeled flow or a modeled pressure based on the first value. The microcontroller is configured to control the motor based on the second value.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,605 shows a load state detecting apparatus of an induction motor having two coils having a drive voltage supplying unit for supplying a drive voltage to the coils in the induction motor, a phase difference detecting unit for detecting a phase difference between the drive voltage supplied across the coils of the induction motor and a current flowing through one of the coils upon application of the drive voltage and for generating a phase difference signal, and a load state detecting unit for comparing the phase difference signal generated by the phase difference detecting unit with a predetermined reference value and generating a signal depending on a load state of the induction motor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,718 discloses a motor power control of the type which functions by controlling the power factor wherein one of the parameters of power factor current “on” time is determined by the “on” time of a triac through which current is supplied to the motor, and wherein, by means of a positive feedback circuit, a wider range of control is effected.

Additional examples of the prior art are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,837, U.S. Pat. No. 6,806,677 and US 2004/0070357.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a swimming pool or spa pump control system to selectively control the operation of a recirculating pump in response to at least one of a plurality of operating or environs conditions such as pump run time, solar radiation, water temperature as a function of solar heat energy and water line pressure to optimize water quality in the swimming pool or spa and protect the recirculating pump for damage.

The control system comprises a controller operatively coupled to the pump motor and a plurality operating status or condition sensors to control the operation of the pump.

The operation of the pump motor is controlled to protect the recirculating pump from damage possible due to several operating conditions. Specifically, a liquid pressure sensor senses the fluid pressure passing through the debris filter and to generate a pressure signal fed to the controller. If the debris filter becomes clogged, the liquid pressure sensed reaches a minimum predetermined value causing the controller to generate a fault signal sent to the pump motor to deactivate or shut down the pump.

If the water drawn from the swimming pool through the return conduit reaches a minimum predetermined volume or amount due to a leak or similar condition, a liquid sensor causes the controller to generate a fault signal sent to the pump motor of the pump to deactivate or shut down the pump.

As previously mentioned, to maximize efficiency and maintain optimal water quality, the run time curve should account for pool water temperature, sunlight or solar radiation, as this has a particularly deleterious effect on water quality in that the chlorine breaks down, environmental debris, type and amount of bacteria and algae, surface leaching, and water chemical composition as major factors.

Efficiency can generally be optimized when run time curve approximates the solar radiation curve or the air temperature curve which is substantially a function of the date and locale. Thus, the run time should be adjusted periodically with respect to date and time.

Initially, the swimming pool or spa pump control system is set up by imputting the annual solar radiation or air temperature of the particular locale or the swimming pool or spa.

The initial operating run time of the pump start-up is calculated for the specific pump rating and calculated solar radiation or air temperature for times and dates to control the operation of the pump.

Once the swimming pool or spa control system is up and running, the owner/user will observe the water quality over time. Since each pool/spa site will likely vary from the “standard” site upon which the particular pump is rated, the run time should most likely be adjusted for optimum water quality. This variation is due to trees, screens and other obstructions to the solar radiation impinging the surface of the pool or spa water. Thus, the owner/user will adjust or recalculate the initial operating run time by a factor within a predetermined range.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the swimming pool or spa recirculating control system of the present invention and a swimming pool including a recirculating system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the swimming pool or spa recirculating control system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a chart depicting annual radiation impinging the earth's surface for a geographically specific latitude and longitude.

FIG. 4 is a chart depicting the annual pool water temperature for a geographically specific locale.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a swimming pool or spa pump control system to selectively control the operation of a recirculating pump in response to at least one of a plurality of operating or environs conditions such as pump run time, solar radiation, water temperature as a function of solar heat energy and water line pressure to optimize water quality in the swimming pool or spa and protect the recirculating pump for damage.

A number of factors affect the quality of water in a swimming pool or spa such as solar radiation, air temperature, presence of sun screen in the pool water, sunlight, presence of bacteria and algae, surface leaching and water treatment chemicals. Of course, air temperature and solar radiation are largely dependent on the time of year and geographic locale of the swimming pool or spa. Thus, matching or correlating the air temperature or solar radiation for the particular time of year and locale with the run time of the recirculating pump can optimize the energy use of the recirculating pump while maintaining a high level of water quality.

In addition, the recirculating pump is subject to damage if the debris filter overly restricts water flow through the recirculating pump or if there is otherwise insufficient flow of water through the recirculating pump during a freeze or the recirculating system is dry due to a leak in the system. Thus, there is a need to monitor and detect the operating parameters of the recirculating system.

FIG. 1 depicts a typical swimming pool 10 and recirculating system comprising a pump 12 including pump motor 14 coupled to the swimming pool 10 by a pump inlet conduit 16 and a debris filter 18 coupled between the pump 12 and the swimming pool 10 by a pump outlet conduit 20 and a return conduit 22 to filter and recirculate water to and from the swimming pool 10.

The recirculating pump control system comprises a controller 24 operatively coupled to the pump motor 14 and a first, second, third and fourth operating status or condition sensor indicated as 26, 28, 30 and 32 respectively through a corresponding control line or conductor 34 to control the operation of the pump 12 as described hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 24 comprises a microcontroller 36 including a processor, memory and timing means, an input device 38 such as a keypad or multiple button star cluster coupled to the microcontroller 36 to enable a user to enter data such as time, date, location by area code or by latitude and longitude with measured or calculated solar energy data and pump turn-on time and an output device 40 such as an LED display coupled to microcontroller 36 to display information to the user. The processor and timing means may comprise any suitable state of the art device. The memory may be any suitable memory known in the art such as a ROM or Flash. The controller 24 is coupled to the pump motor 14 and the operating status or condition sensors 26, 28, 30 and 32 through the corresponding control lines or conductors 34 to activate and deactivate the pump motor 14 as described hereinafter. The controller 24 is coupled to a power source (not shown) by plug or connector 42. Although the swimming pool or spa pump control system is depicted as hardwired, the state of the art will permit a wireless system without impacting the functions or interrelationships of the system components.

The operation of the pump motor 14 is controlled to protect the recirculating pump 12 from damage possible due to several operating conditions. Specifically, a liquid pressure sensor 26 is disposed downstream; i.e., between the outlet of the debris filter 18 and the swimming pool 10 to sense the fluid pressure passing through the debris filter 18 and to generate a pressure signal fed to the microcontroller 36 of the controller 24 over the corresponding control line 34. If the debris filter 18 becomes clogged, the liquid pressure sensed in the return conduit 22 by the first sensor 26 reaches a minimum predetermined value causing the microcontroller 36 of the controller 24 to generate a fault signal sent to the pump motor 14 of the pump 12 to deactivate or shut down the pump 12.

If the water drawn from the swimming pool 10 through the return conduit 16 reaches a minimum predetermined volume or amount due to a leak or similar condition, the second or liquid sensor 28 causes the microcontroller 36 of the controller 24 to generate a fault signal sent to the pump motor 14 of the pump 12 to deactivate or shut down the pump 12.

The third or pump load sensor 30 is capable of determining stator position or alternately, the current phase of the pump motor 14. A comparison of the current phase angle or stator crossing the load on the pump motor 14 indicates no flow condition or filter clog or absence of water circulating from the swimming pool 10. The microcontroller 36 of the controller 24 generates a fault signal fed to the pump motor 14 when current phase angle exceeds a predetermined value or alternatively when the stator crossing exceeds a predetermined value to deactivate or shut down the pump 12. (See Current Phase Angle U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,695; Use Of Voltage/Current Sensor To Determine Stator Crossing U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,718).

The fourth or temperature sensor 32 measures the water temperature in the conduit 16 between the swimming pool 10 and the pump 12. When the water in the conduit 16 reaches a predetermined minimum temperature such as 35° F., the microcontroller 36 of the controller 24 generates an ‘ON’ signal fed to the pump motor 14 to circulate water through the system to prevent freezing. Alternately, the temperature sensor 32 may sense the air temperature and send a signal to the microcontroller 36 to compare the actual temperature with the programmed air temperature and recalculate the pump run time for any variance between the actual temperature and programmed temperature.

As previously mentioned, to maximize efficiency and maintain optimal water quality, the run time curve should account for pool water temperature, sunlight or solar radiation, as this has a particularly deleterious effect on water quality in that the chlorine breaks down, environmental debris, type and amount of bacteria and algae, surface leaching, and water chemical composition as major factors.

Efficiency can generally be optimized when run time curve approximates the solar radiation curve (FIG. 3) or the air temperature curve (FIG. 4) which is substantially a function of the date and locale. Thus, the run time should be adjusted periodically with respect to date and time.

Initially, the swimming pool or spa pump control system is set up by imputting the annual solar radiation of the particular locale or the swimming pool or spa 10 as depicted in FIG. 3 into the memory of the microcontroller 36 of the controller 24 by the imput device 38 or other loading device. The annual solar radiation is calculated on NOAD's functions and clear-sky solar radiation based upon Bird and Hulstrom's model, Bras' model or Ryan and Stotzenbach's model.

The initial operating run time of the pump 12 start-up is calculated for the specific pump 12 rating and calculated solar radiation for times and dates. A runtime curve similar to the solar radiation curve of FIG. 3 is created (calculated) to control the operation of the pump 12.

Once the swimming pool or spa control system is up and running, the owner/user will observe the water quality over time. Since each pool/spa site will likely vary from the “standard” site upon which the particular pump is rated, the run time should most likely be adjusted for optimum water quality. This variation is due to trees, screens and other obstructions to the solar radiation impinging the surface of the pool or spa water. Thus, the owner/user will adjust or recalculate the initial operating run time by a factor within a predetermined range such as from 0.4 to 2.0. For example, if the swimming pool or spa 10 is heavily shaded, the owner/user would select and input a factor of 0.4 or 0.2; while, if the swimming pool or spa 10 has no shade or screen enclosure, a factor of 1.5 or 1.8 may be selected and input.

Alternatively, the initial operating run time of the pump 12 start-up is calculated for the specific pump 12 rating and the historical air temperatures for times and dates. A runtime curve similar to the solar radiation curve of FIG. 4 is created (calculated) to control the operation of the pump 12.

As with the solar radiation embodiment, once the swimming pool or spa control system is up and running, the owner/user will observe the water quality over time. Since each pool/spa site will likely vary from the “standard” site upon which the particular pump is rated, the run time should most likely be adjusted for optimum water quality. This variation is due to trees, screens and other obstructions to the solar radiation impinging the surface of the pool or spa water. Thus, the owner/user will adjust or recalculate the initial operating run time by a factor within a predetermined range such as from 0.4 to 2.0. For example, if the swimming pool or spa 10 is heavily shaded, the owner/user would select and input a factor of 0.3 or 0.1; while, if the swimming pool or spa 10 has no shade or screen enclosure, a factor of 1.1 or 1.6 may be selected and input.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pump control system for a swimming pool to selectively control the operation of a recirculating pump to prevent damage to the recirculating pump that could result from specific operating conditions and to optimize energy consumption by varying the run time of said recirculating pump throughout the year as a function of the sun's energy impacting the earth's surface as a measure of solar radiation incident on the surface of the pool water comprising a controller including a microcontroller to calculate the initial pump run time for a geographically specific location dependent upon the time of year or date based upon the solar radiation adjusted for specific swimming pool site, said controller comprises a microcontroller including a processor, memory and timing means and an input device coupled to said microcontroller to enable a user to enter time, date, location by area code or by latitude and longitude with measured or calculated solar energy data and pump turn-on time and an output device to display information to the user, and further including a temperature sensor to sense the temperature and generate a signal when the water reaches a predetermined temperature fed to said microcontroller to generate a signal fed to said pump motor to control the circulating water through said pump control system when the actual temperature varies from the temperature calculated for the particular locale of the swimming pool and time of year.
 2. The pump control system of claim 1 wherein said recirculating pump includes a pump motor coupled to the swimming pool by a pump inlet conduit and a debris filter coupled between said recirculating pump and the swimming pool by a pump outlet conduit and a return conduit to filter and recirculate water to and from the swimming pool, and further including at least one sensor to monitor an operating condition coupled to said controller to deactivate said recirculating pump when the operating condition reaches a predetermined or set value,said controller operatively coupled to said pump motor and to said sensor to selectively deactivate said pump motor when the operating condition reaches a predetermined or set value.
 3. The pump control system of claim 1 wherein the initial operating run time of said pump is calculated for the specific pump rating and site specific solar radiation for times and dates to control the initial run cycle of said pump.
 4. The pump control system of claim 3 wherein the run cycle of said pump is adjusted for optimum water quality due to variation tree cover, screen and other obstructions to the solar radiation impinging the surface of the pool as a factor of the specific pump rating based upon observable water quality.
 5. The pump control system of claim 2 wherein said pump motor is controlled to protect said recirculating pump from damage due to loss in water pressure, said sensor comprising a liquid pressure sensor disposed between the outlet of a debris filter and the swimming pool to sense the water pressure passing through the debris filter and to generate a pressure signal fed to said microcontroller such that if the debris filter becomes clogged, the liquid pressure sensed in the return conduit by said liquid pressure sensor reaches a minimum predetermined value said microcontroller generates a fault signal sent to said pump motor to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 6. The pump control system of claim 5 further including a water sensor such that when water drawn from the swimming pool through said return conduit reaches a minimum predetermined volume or amount said liquid sensor causes said microcontroller to generate a fault signal sent to said pump motor to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 7. The pump control system of claim 6 further including a pump load sensor to sense the stator position of said pump motor to measure the stator crossing to indicate an absence of water circulating from the swimming pool such that said microcontroller generates a fault signal fed to said pump motor when stator crossing reaches a predetermined value to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 8. The pump control system of claim 6 further includes a pump load sensor to sense the current phase of said pump motor to measure the current phase angle to indicate an absence of water circulating from the swimming pool such that said microcontroller generates a fault signal fed to said pump motor when current phase angle reaches a predetermined value to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 9. A pump control system for a swimming pool to selectively control the operation of a recirculating pump to prevent damage to the recirculating pump that could result from specific operating conditions and to optimize energy consumption by varying the run time of said recirculating pump throughout the year as a function of the sun's energy impacting the earth's surface as a measure of solar heat energy incident on the pool water comprising a controller including a microcontroller to calculate said pump run time for a geographically specific location dependent upon the time of year or date based upon the solar heat energy adjusted for specific swimming pool site, and at least one of sensor to monitor an operating condition coupled to said controller to deactivate said recirculating pump when the operating condition reaches a predetermined or set value.
 10. The pump control system of claim 9 wherein said recirculating pump includes a pump motor coupled to the swimming pool by a pump inlet conduit and a debris filter coupled between said recirculating pump and the swimming pool by a pump outlet conduit and a return conduit to filter and recirculate water to and from the swimming pool, said controller operatively coupled to said pump motor and to said sensor to selectively deactivate said pump motor when the operating condition reaches a predetermined or set value.
 11. The pump control system of claim 10 wherein said controller comprises a microcontroller including a processor, memory and timing means and an input device coupled to said microcontroller to enable a user to enter data such as time, date, location by area code or by latitude and longitude with measured or calculated solar energy data and pump turn-on time and an output device to display information to the user.
 12. The pump control system of claim 11 wherein the initial operating run time of said pump start-up is calculated for the specific pump rating and the historical air temperatures for times and dates to control the initial run cycle of said pump.
 13. The pump control system of claim 12 wherein the run cycle of said pump is adjusted for optimum water quality due to variation tree cover, screen and other obstructions to solar heat energy impinging the surface of the pool as a factor of the specific pump rating based upon observable water quality.
 14. The pump control system of claim 11 wherein said pump motor is controlled to protect said recirculating pump from damage due to loss in water pressure, said sensor comprising a liquid pressure sensor disposed between the outlet of a debris filter and the swimming pool to sense the water pressure passing through the debris filter and to generate a pressure signal fed to said microcontroller such that if the debris filter becomes clogged, the liquid pressure sensed in the return conduit by said liquid pressure sensor reaches a minimum predetermined value said microcontroller generates a fault signal sent to said pump motor to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 15. The pump control system of claim 14 further including a water sensor such that when water drawn from the swimming pool through said return conduit reaches a minimum predetermined volume or amount said liquid sensor causes said microcontroller to generate a fault signal sent to said pump motor to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 16. The pump control system of claim 15 further including a pump load sensor to sense the stator position of said pump motor to measure the stator crossing to indicate an absence of water circulating from the swimming pool such that said microcontroller generates a fault signal fed to said pump motor when stator crossing reaches a predetermined value to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 17. The pump control system of claim 16 further including a temperature sensor to sense the water temperature between the swimming pool and said pump and generate a signal-when the water reaches a predetermined minimum temperature fed to said microcontroller to generate an activate signal fed to said pump motor to circulate water through said pump control system to prevent freezing.
 18. The pump control system of claim 15 further includes a pump load sensor to sense the current phase of said pump motor to measure the current phase angle to indicate an absence of water circulating from the swimming pool such that said microcontroller generates a fault signal fed to said pump motor when current phase angle reaches a predetermined value to deactivate or shut down said pump.
 19. The pump control system of claim 18 further including a temperature sensor to sense the water temperature between the swimming pool and said pump and generate a signal when the water reaches a predetermined minimum temperature fed to said microcontroller to generate an activate signal fed to said pump motor to circulate water through said pump control system to prevent freezing. 